Orthotic insert assembly

ABSTRACT

An orthotic insert assembly for an article of footwear. The orthotic insert assembly includes base, a plurality of flexible layers positioned over the base, and a plurality of adjustors configured to be positionable between a lowered position and a raised position. The orthotic insert assembly may be incorporated into an article of footwear and disposed between an outer sole and an inner sole.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to an orthotic insert assembly for anarticle of footwear. In particular, the present disclosure relates to anadjustable orthotic insert assembly including a plurality of adjustorsthat are individually positionable to conform to the topography of aparticular human foot.

One aspect of the present disclosure is an orthotic insert assemblyincluding a base, a plurality of flexible layers positioned over thebase, and a plurality of adjustors configured to be positionable betweena lowered position and a raised position. The adjustors may beconfigured to extend through apertures in the base and through an outersole of an article of footwear allowing for adjustment from outside thearticle of footwear. The adjustors may be configured as a T-nut having abody, a threaded aperture, and a flange extending outwardly from thethreaded aperture. The adjustor may be configured to cooperate with anadjustment screw for raising or lowering each adjustor.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is an orthotic insert assemblyincorporated into an article of footwear, wherein the orthotic insertassembly is positioned between an outer sole and an inner sole.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is an orthotic insert assemblywherein the adjustors are configured as a bladder having an envelopedefining a chamber. A valve is provided in fluid communication with thechamber and configured to control fluid flow into and out of thechamber. A fluid, such as a gas, liquid, or gel may be introduced intothe chamber to increase the height of the adjustor. The orthotic insertassembly may be incorporated into an article of footwear having an outersole including a plurality of recesses disposed in the outer sole toreceive the adjustors. The outer sole may also include a port extendingfrom each recess to a sidewall of the outer sole configured to allowaccess to the valve by a probe for inflating and deflating theadjustors.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is an orthotic insert assemblyhaving a plurality of adjustors arranged in a serpentine configurationwithin recesses formed in an outer sole for an article of footwear.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is an orthotic insert assemblyhaving a plurality of adjustors arranged as planar geometric shapes.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is an orthotic insert assemblyhaving a plurality of adjustors configured as a scissors-jack mechanismincluding a base, a lower leg assembly pivotally coupled to the base, alift platform, an upper leg assembly pivotally coupled to the lift platform, wherein the lower leg assembly is pivotally coupled to the upperleg assembly at a first and second pivots. The adjustor also includes abusing pivotally coupled at the first pivot and a nut pivotally coupledat the second pivot. The nut includes a threaded bore configured toreceive a threaded rod. The bushing includes a smooth bore through whichthe threaded rod is journaled. The threaded rod is configured to engagethe nut such that rotation of the threaded rod in a first directionraises the lift platform and rotation of the threaded rod in a seconddirection lowers the lift platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be described hereafter with reference to theattached drawings which are given as a non-limiting example only, inwhich:

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the orthoticinsert assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a top perspective view of the orthotic insert assembly ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a top view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the orthoticinsert assembly of FIG. 1A incorporated into a sole for an article offootwear;

FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the orthotic insert assembly ofFIG. 2A with the inner sole removed;

FIG. 2C is another top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a top view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2E is a rear elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.2D looking in direction 2E-2E;

FIG. 2F is a side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.2D looking in direction 2F-2F;

FIG. 3A is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the orthoticinsert assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a top perspective view of an outer sole for an article offootwear for use with the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a top view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a rear elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.3C looking in direction 3D-3D;

FIG. 3E is side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.3C looking in direction 3E-3E, showing the adjustors in a loweredconfiguration;

FIG. 3F is the side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly ofFIG. 3E showing the adjustors in a raised configuration;

FIG. 3G is a detailed view of an adjustor of FIGS. 3A-3F;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are top perspective views of a third embodiment of theorthotic insert assembly of the present disclosure, wherein FIG. 4Ashows adjustors in a lowered configuration, and FIG. 4B shows adjustorsin a raised configuration;

FIG. 4C is a top view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a rear elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.4C looking in direction 4D-4D;

FIG. 4E is side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.4C looking in direction 4E-4E, showing the adjustors in a loweredconfiguration;

FIG. 4F is the side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly ofFIG. 4E showing the adjustors in a raised configuration;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are top perspective views of a fourth embodiment of theorthotic insert assembly of the present disclosure, wherein FIG. 5Ashows adjustors in a lowered configuration, and FIG. 5B shows adjustorsin a raised configuration;

FIG. 5C is a top view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a rear elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.5C looking in direction 5D-5D;

FIG. 5E is side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly of FIG.5C looking in direction 5E-5E, showing the adjustors in a loweredconfiguration;

FIG. 5F is the side elevation view of the orthotic insert assembly ofFIG. 5E showing the adjustors in a raised configuration; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an adjustorfor the orthotic insert assembly of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to an orthotic insert assembly for anarticle of footwear. An exemplary embodiment of the orthotic insertassembly 10 of the present disclosure includes a base 12, a number offlexible layers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d, and a number of adjustors16, as shown in FIGS. 1A-D. As shown in FIG. 1A, the flexible layers areconfigured to correspond to anatomical regions of the plantar (or lower)surface of a human foot. For example, the exemplary embodiment includesa lateral midfoot flexible layer 14 a, a medial midfoot flexible layer14 b, a medial hindfoot flexible layer 14 c, and a heel flexible layer14 d.

In this embodiment, the adjustors 16 are formed as T-nuts having a bodyportion 18, which includes a threaded aperture 20 configured forcooperation with an adjustment screw (not shown) and a flange portion 22extending outwardly about the threaded aperture 20. For each adjustor16, base 12 includes an adjustor aperture 24 configured to receive thebody portion 18 so that the body portion 18 extends through the base 12with the flange portion 22 disposed between the base 12 and the flexiblelayers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d, as shown in FIG. 1C. Further, bodyportion 18 is configured to extend through an outer sole (not shown) foran article of footwear such that an adjustment screw (not shown)accessible from outside of the article of footwear cooperates with thethreaded aperture 20 to adjust the position of the flange portion 22relative to the base 12. This allows for discrete portions of theflexible layers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d to be raised and/or loweredto a specific distance based upon the topography of a particular humanfoot, for which the orthotic insert assembly is to be fitted.

Referring the FIG. 1B, the orthotic insert assembly 10 may also includea binder 26 to fix flexible layers 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and 14 d relativeto each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, a first binder isprovided to fix lateral midfoot flexible layer 14 a relative to a medialmidfoot layer flexible layer 14 b. Further, a second binder is providedto fix medial midfoot flexible layer 14 b relative to medial hindfootflexible layer 14 c. Also, a third binder is provided to fix medialhindfoot flexible layer 14 c relative to heel flexible layer 14 d.Finally, a fourth binder is provided to fix medial hindfoot flexiblelayer 14 c relative to the base 12. As shown in the exemplaryembodiment, binders 26 are affixed to portions of adjacent flexiblelayers, thereby reducing the likelihood that the flexible layers willbecome misaligned while allowing some relative movement between adjacentflexible layers.

Referring to FIG. 1D, in the present embodiment, a portion of thelateral midfoot flexible layer 14 a is disposed over a portion of themidfoot flexible layer 14 b and a portion of the medial hindfootflexible layer 14 c. A portion of the medial midfoot flexible layer 14 bis disposed over a portion of the medial hindfoot flexible layer 14 c.Finally, a portion of the heel flexible layer 14 d is disposed over aportion of the medial hindfoot flexible layer 14 c. The configuration ofthe flexible layers relative to each other is presented as an exampleonly, and other configurations of flexible layers may be equallyacceptable without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The orthotic insert assembly 10 may be incorporated into a sole for anarticle of footwear as shown in FIGS. 2A-2F. A sole 30 for an article offootwear includes an outer sole 32 and an inner sole 34. In thisexample, the orthotic insert assembly 10 of the present disclosure isplaced between the outer sole 32 and the inner sole 34, as shown inFIGS. 2E and 2F. As previously described, the adjustors 16 may beindividually configured to a particular human foot topography.

Another embodiment of the orthotic insert assembly 110 of the presentdisclosure includes a base 112, a number of flexible layers 114 a, 114b, 114 c, and 114 d, binders 126, and a number of adjustors 116, asshown in FIGS. 3A-3F. In this exemplary embodiment, the adjustors 116are configured as a bladder having an envelope 140 that may be flexibleand/or expandable, defining a chamber 142, as shown in FIG. 3G. Adjustor116 further includes a valve 144 in fluid communication with chamber142. Valve 144 is configured to control fluid flow into and out ofchamber 142.

For example, in this embodiment, a fluid such as a gas, a liquid, or agel may be introduced into the chamber 142 of adjustor 116. The adjustor116 is configured as a cylinder such that when a fluid is introducedinto chamber 142, the adjustor increases in vertical height. When adesired amount of fluid is introduced into chamber 142 and the adjustor116 is at a desired a desired height, valve 144 is closed to retain thefluid within the chamber 142. In an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, it is envisioned that air is the fluid introduced into thechamber 142 to vary the height of the adjustors 116, however, othergases may also be used such as nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, etc.Further, a liquid or gel, such as water, oil, glycerin, etc. may be usedas the fluid, depending on desired characteristics for a particularapplication.

Referring to FIGS. 3C-3F, in this exemplary embodiment, the orthoticinsert assembly 110 may be incorporated into an article of footwearhaving an outer sole 132 and an inner sole 134. The adjustors 116 aredisposed within recesses 148 within outer sole 132 as shown in FIG. 3B.A port 146 is disposed within the outer sole 132 that allows access toeach valve 144 for introduction of fluid into the chamber 142 ofadjustors 116. In the present embodiment, ports 146 are configured toextend horizontally from each recess 148 to a side wall of outer sole132 thereby allowing access to valve 144, as shown in FIG. 3C.

The height of the adjustors 116 may be varied by the introduction offluid through valve 114 causing the envelope 140 to expand from adeflated configuration to an inflated configuration, as shown in FIG.3G. When incorporated into an article of footwear having an outer sole132 and an inner sole 134, the orthotic insert assembly may be placedbetween the outer sole 132 and the inner sole 134 so that upon inflationor deflation of the adjustors 116, inner sole 134 is moved verticallyrelative to the outer sole 132 as shown in FIGS. 3E and 3F. In theexemplary embodiment, the adjustors 116 may be inflated by inserting aprobe, such as a needle coupled to a syringe, through valve 114 intochamber 142 and introducing a fluid, such as air, into chamber 142 untilthe envelope 140 is at a desired height. Although as shown in FIGS. 3Eand 3F all of the adjustors 116 as shown inflated to the same height, itshould be understood that one aspect of the present disclosure is thatindividual adjustors may be configured to different heights to provide acustom fit for a particular individual.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 4A-4F. Inthis embodiment, an orthotic insert assembly 210 includes adjustors 216a-i disposed within recesses 248 of an outer sole 232 of an article offootwear. The adjustors 216 a-i are shown as being configured in aserpentine arrangement. For example referring to FIG. 4C, outer sole 232may include recesses 248 configured to receive serpentine adjustors 216a-i. In this exemplary embodiment, lateral serpentine adjustors 216 a,216 b, 216 c, are provided at a location in outer sole 232 correspondingto an outer midfoot region of a human foot. Additionally, medialserpentine adjustors 216 d, 216 e, 216 f, are provided at a location inouter sole 232 corresponding to an inner midfoot region of a human footincluding the arch region of the foot. Also, lateral and medialposterior adjustors 216 g, 216 h (respectively) are provided in theouter sole 232 corresponding to the heel region of the human foot. Also,this embodiment includes an interior adjustor 216 i in a central portionof the outer sole 232.

The adjustors 216 a-i may be varied in height from a lowered position asshown in FIGS. 4A and 4E to a raised position as shown in FIGS. 4B and4F. As previously described, a port 246 may be disposed within the outersole 232 that allows for introduction of fluid into the adjustors 216a-i. In the exemplary embodiment, the ports 246 extend horizontally fromrecesses 248 through a side wall of the outer sole 232, as shown in FIG.4C. As previously described, a fluid such as a gas, liquid, or gel maybe introduced into each adjustor 216 a-i to increase the vertical heightof the adjustor, and consequently, the overlying portions of flexiblepanels 214 a, 214 b, 214 c, and 214 d.

As shown in FIG. 2E, the orthotic insert assembly 210 includes a base212, a lateral midfoot flexible layer 214 a, a medial midfoot flexiblelayer 214 b, a medial hindfoot flexible layer 214 c, and a heel flexiblelayer 214 d, and is disposed between an outer sole 232 and an inner sole234 for an article of footwear. Introducing a fluid into the adjustors216 a-i increases the height of the adjustors 216 a-i as shown in FIG.4F. Although the adjustors 216 a-i are shown as fully inflated in FIG.4F, it should be understood that each adjustor may be individuallyconfigured to a particular human foot topography.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the adjustors may beconfigured in planar geometric shapes corresponding to topography of ahuman foot. Referring to FIGS. 5A-5F, this exemplary embodiment of theorthotic insert assembly 310 includes a base 312, a number of flexiblelayers 314 a, 314 b, 314 c, 314 d, and a number of adjustors 316 a, 316b, 316 c. As shown in FIG. C, flexible layers include a lateral midfootflexible layer 314 a, a medial midfoot flexible layer 314 b, a medialhindfoot flexible layer 314 c, and a heel flexible layer 314 d. Flexiblelayers 314 a, 314 b, 314 c, and 314 d, are disposed between an outersole 332 and an inner sole 334 for an article of footwear, as shown inFIGS. 5E and 5F. Referring again to FIG. 5B, one or more binders 326 maybe provided to fix flexible layers 314 a, 314 b, 314 c, and 314 drelative to each other. This embodiment includes a central adjustor 316a corresponding to a central region of a human foot. This embodimentalso includes an arch adjustor 316 b corresponding to the arch region ofa human foot. Additionally, this embodiment also includes a lateralposterior adjustor 316 c positioned just in front of the regioncorresponding to a human heel.

As previously described, adjustors 316 a, 316 b, and 316 c areconfigured to vary in height by introduction of a fluid into theadjustors. Referring again to FIG. 5C, in this embodiment, the adjustors316 a, 316 b, 316 c are positioned above flexible layers 314 a, 314 b,314 c, 314 d. As shown in FIG. 5E, the orthotic insert assembly 301includes a base 312, a lateral midfoot flexible layer 314 a, a medialmidfoot flexible layer 314 b, a medial hindfoot flexible layer 314 c,and a heel flexible layer 314 d, and is disposed between an outer sole332 and an inner sole 334 for an article of footwear. Introducing afluid into the adjustors 316 a, 316 b, 316 c increases the height of theadjustors 316 a, 316 b, 316 c as shown in FIG. 5F. Although theadjustors 316 a-c are shown as fully inflated in FIG. 5F, it should beunderstood that each adjustor may be individually configured to aparticular human foot topography.

The orthotic insert assembly of the present disclosure may include anadjustor configured as a scissors jack type assembly. Referring to FIG.6, an adjustor 416 may be configured as a scissors jack type assemblyfor disposition in a recess of an outer sole (not shown) of an articleof footwear. This embodiment of adjustor 416 includes an adjustor base462 and a pair of lower leg assemblies 464 pivotally coupled to the base462. Adjustor 416 also includes a lift platform 466 pivotally and a pairof upper leg assemblies 468 pivotally coupled to the lift platform 468.The lower leg assemblies 464 are pivotally coupled to the upper legassemblies 468 at pivots 470, 472. A bushing 474 is also pivotallycoupled to the lower leg assemblies 464 and the upper leg assemblies 468at pivot 470. The bushing includes a smooth bore (not shown) throughwhich threaded rod is journaled. A nut 476 is pivotally coupled to thelower leg assemblies 464 and the upper leg assemblies 468 at pivot 472.Nut 476 include a threaded bore (not shown) configured to receive athreaded rod 478. One end of threaded rod 474 includes an actuator 480configured to be coupled to a driver to rotate threaded rod 478. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the actuator 480 includes ahexagonal socket 482 configured to receive a hex key or an allen wrenchor other driver to rotate threaded rod 478.

When the adjustor 416 is in a lowered configuration, a hex key isinserted into hexagonal socket 482 and the threaded rod 478 is rotatedin a first direction. As the threaded rod 478 rotates, the nut 476engages the treads drawing pivot points 470 and 472 together forcing thelift platform 466 upwardly. Threaded rod 478 is rotated until the liftplatform 466 is at the desired position. Likewise, if the threaded rod478 is rotated in the opposite direction, the nut 476 engages thethreads drawing pivot points 470, 472 apart, thereby lowering the liftplatform 466.

Although not shown, the adjustor 416 embodiment presently described maybe placed within a recess in an outer sole for an article of footwear aspreviously described herein. The outer sole may include a port generallyextending from the recess to a sidewall of the outer sole, wherein theadjustor 416 is oriented such that a driver may be inserted into theport to engage the actuator 480 to raise and lower the adjustor.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown anddescribed, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devisevarious modifications of the present invention without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An orthotic insert assembly configured for incorporationinto an article of footwear, the orthotic insert assembly comprising: abase; a plurality of adjustors; and a plurality of flexible layerspositioned over the base, wherein the plurality of adjustors areindividually positionable to elevate portions of the flexible layersrelative to the base.